Brrr

There is an unusual bustle around the camp as I sneak around, befriending the darkness. I’m not supposed to be up, but with all the yelling and banging, how is a foal expected to sleep? I spot a white pattern amongst the dark. Cami. I guess I’m not the only one out past curfew.

I look up to the moon, praying to God that something good comes out of tonight. Valentino doesn’t ever tell us much, but from the way he was acting it was clear, something was up. 

I stick to my shadows as I spot Cami, one of my friends, inching closer to the light of the camp. She’s going to get caught and if she does, I’m not helping her. I see an unusual horse conversing with one of the mares. What was her name?

Cami is still inching closer as the two horses break off. The draft brings their scents right to me. They’re Loshenka’s like us, but their smell is weird. Almost like ash. 

“Cami!” I hear a shout. My attention turns back to the Cami-Chronicles. It's Valentino, and he doesn’t look happy at all. He marches up to Cami, and Cami’s stuck like a deer in headlights. I don’t know what that means but I’ve heard the folks say it and it sounds nice, soothes your brain. I like deers, sweet creatures. Occasionally aggressive if there’s a buck around. “What the hell are you doing out after curfew?” Valentino practically shouts. The entire camp goes silent, even the folks, who can’t understand our language, stop doing whatever they are doing. I spot the two horses from earlier sneaking out of the camp. That’s odd, no one, and I mean no one leaves the camp after dark. Valentino says it's not safe after dark and here we have weapons and numbers to protect ourselves. 

“I-I-” Cami stutters, her eyes wide with fear. 

“I, I, is that all you have to say for yourself?” Valentino mocks, stomping his hoof on the ground. All the horses return back to their own business, but I can still hear Valentino’s angry swears and annoyed grunts. 

“Winter is coming Cami and if you can’t prove yourself…….” Valentino pauses with a sigh. 

“I know, I’m so sorry, Valentino.” Cami says with her head bowed. I don’t think she spotted me yet, neither of them actually. Maybe that’s because I actually stay in the darkness. I’m huddled close to the cloth of the tents, and the lighting around this particular tent is shit. I’m not supposed to say that word, but it sounds nice, and I’m not talking, I'm thinking. There’s a difference. 

Wait, did Valentino say something about winter? We haven’t been told much about the Winter Trials, the only thing Valentino said to me was ‘don’t worry about it Jelly.’ From the chatter going around, and there is a lot of it, apparently the Winter Trials are held every five years, giving each horse who is under five the opportunity to compete. If they do well, a human child might choose them. Doesn’t sound like much fun to be honest, so I don’t get what the chatter is about. 

“You have to prove yourself Cami, you need better castings.” Valentino says softly. Oh yeah, castings are also a part of the Winter Trials. Castings are kind of hard to understand, but I think they are like votes? 

Valentino walks with Cami out to the foal tent. That’s perfect, or wait no it's not. It’s exactly the opposite of perfect. If Valentino goes in there and sees I’m gone then I’m in big trouble. Maybe I should have helped Cami. 

My thoughts go faster than the speed of light, trying to find a way not to get caught. I can’t sneak back in now, they’re too close and will almost definitely see me. Maybe I play on the chance that Valentino doesn’t do a headcount. He always does a headcount after someone is found outside. Oh no, this really isn’t good. 

I saw the strange smelling horses by the forest’s edge. That’s an idea. Valentino always looks in the camp for the missing foal, but never outside of the camp. My legs are already shaking with anticipation as I glance around, trying to see if I can make a smooth getaway. It doesn’t look like anyone is looking, so I bolt. I bolt on my tiny foal legs to the woods. 

I make sure to stay far away from the strange horses, I don’t know them well enough to know if they’d turn me in or not. 

I finally reach the shelter of the cold, dark forest. The darkness looms over me as I slowly walk through the forest, panting. My legs already feel sore and my nose hurts from the cold. Why am I doing this again? Is this supposed to somehow be better than getting caught after curfew? 

The forest feels like it's breathing. With every step I take forward, the twigs snap. I haven’t had a lesson on silent walking yet. This was a bad idea. The wind brings odd scents. Fire, and with the fire a hint of ash. 

I force myself to keep moving, it's the only way to ensure my survival, that was what Valentino said what, a month ago, right? 

I came to a standstill. The scent of fire was getting stronger, the ash with it. The moon was lower in the night sky than I remember it being, and the skyline had traces of pink. 

It was still freezing as I huddled close to some trees. This was a bad idea. A very bad idea. What happens if I get caught going back? 

As the sun slowly rose, I could see my breath with each exhale. My legs trembled, if with fear or just because of the cold, I had no idea. All I knew was I needed to go back. The camp had fire, a good, no a very good thing. The folk tended to the fire and we would all gather round. Out here there was no fire, just really cold wind. 

Here there was no one to care for me, like Valentino did. No one to make sure I was fed like my mother did. No one to keep me comfortable. 

I had no choice. I went as fast as my little legs could go, but they felt frozen as I moved through the wood.